It's Asteroid Day. No, Really.

June 30th is an official UN sanctioned global awareness day. But why today? Well, it was more than likely a homage to the Tunguska disaster in Russia which took place on June 30th 1908. The asteroid in question destroyed a huge area, mostly Russian forests.

The Tunguska event is considered a lucky escape as although it flattened 770 miles of forest, there were no reported casualties. Had it been on even a slightly altered path, landing in a populated area, it may have annihilated thousands of people.

Image from expedition in 1929 near Hushmo River, Russia

However, there have been thousands of reports on close calls and near misses. In recent years, some asteroids have come worryingly close and there are multiple predictions of potential impacts including the asteroid Apophis which is currently on course to Earth. Fortunately, we've got until 2029 until it does or doesn't reach us.

And that's the thing, the majority of asteroids don't make it to Earth, they change course or burn up in our atmosphere. We've not reached Bruce Willis and friends going into space and drilling into an asteroid territory...yet.

With that in mind and as a way of celebrating Asteroid Day, or celebrating not being blown into smithereens by one, here's a quick look at two films from the same year that featured asteroids. I was thirteen when these films came out so I view them both with rose tinted nostalgia glasses of course!

Armageddon (1998)

This film made over $553.7 million and was the Summer blockbuster of 1998. It had an all-star cast, including Bruce Willis, Liv Tyler, Ben Affleck, Steve Buscemi and so many more. It's one of those films that has you remarking "Oh yeah, that guy" every scene.

Coupled with a hit song by Aerosmith (clearly the director asked Liv to get her dad, Steven involved), the impact of Armageddon rippled through popular culture. Personally, I cannot stand Aerosmith's I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing, it was overplayed in my youth and in my humble opinion, Aerosmith have way better songs in their back catalogue.

Ultimately though, I forgive the film's soundtrack because of it's ridiculously silly and entertaining plot. An ex oil rigger (and his ex-con friends) are hired by NASA to drill a moving asteroid into pieces...it's just so dumb.

It has all the Michael Bay-isms you'd expect, it's action for the sake of action. Enjoyable, sure. Meaningful, not a chance. It begins with NASA director (Billy Bob Thornton) realising the Earth has just 18 days before a meteor the size of Texas hits. His only option - only - is to hire a team of oil riggers who have collectively spent a lot of time in jail and land them on an asteroid. Like I said, this was his only option apparently. It was easier to teach oil riggers how to be astronauts than it was to train astronauts to use a digger. Riiiiiight.

Anyway, this big dumb movie made a stupid sum of money at the box office despite it's blatant inaccuracies. That said, it spawned years of memes, jokes and parodies about Bruce Willis being the only one capable of saving the world.

Deep Impact (1998)

This film starring Elijah Wood, Robert Duvall and Téa Leoni didn't have quite the impact it's title was hoping. Unfortunately, it was dwarfed by Armageddon. Though this film is about an extinction level event so the stakes are incredibly high. Though this film centres on the politics and social implications of what happens if humanity are unable to stop the asteroid.

The fear of a rising sea level drowning Earth's inhabitants leads to special measures being put into place to protect the future of mankind. The world's governments have been secretly building underground shelters and a lottery chooses Leo (Elijah Wood) but not his girlfriend and her family. The pair even  marry in an attempt to both gain access but it doesn't work.

Leo's girlfriend, Sarah (Leelee Sobieski) refuses to leave her parents behind so Leo attempts to find them. Realising it's too late for them, they tell Leo to get Sarah and her baby brother to high ground. What surprised me in this film, is that unlike Armageddon, the asteroid isn't thwarted.

One hits the Earth and creates a giant tidal wave that wipes out most of America including Sarah's parents. The second asteroid is averted when the crew of the Messiah, a Russian spacecraft, unable to land safely collide with the asteroid in a suicide mission after heartfelt messages to their loved ones.

The film ends after the waters eventually recede, President Beck (Morgan Freeman) gives a speech in honour of the fallen and their sacrifice. Humanity rebuilds. It's certainly much bleaker than Armageddon and while the tension is lesser, the fact the asteroid hit makes for a more interesting film.


So, there you have it - two films where asteroids take centre stage. We haven't had one recently I can think of but if you're looking to scratch that itch, it seems the UN have set up a live feed especially for today on their website, Asteroid Day.